Page 63 of The Duke on Her List
He had kissed women before, of course. The desire to do so was familiar. But there was something about his yearning for Agnes that was different from any desire he had experienced before in his life. It wasn’t just that she was lovely—though of course she was. Her soft, pale skin, her sparkling eyes, the curves of her body…it all beckoned to him.
But it was more than just that.
It was the way she had made herself vulnerable with him, this woman who despised even the notion of vulnerability. The way she had entrusted him to know who she was and to help her with something that mattered to her as much as her list did. She had given him the ability to make light of something meaningful and trusted that he wouldn’t.
And it was everything the two of them had already shared. The weeks of pretend courtship, dancing together, and sharing secrets in full view of society. The intimacy of the proposal that, real or not, would always be a moment the two of them had in common. It could not be left behind, not entirely. It was theirs forever now.
And it was her kindness. The way she cared so deeply for Helena, who was the most important person in Gabriel’s life. Agnes had understood that right from the start and had shown such affection for Helena. Gabriel couldn’t help but soften toward her.
She must have misread his hesitation, because she looked down at the floor. “You don’t have to do it,” she said again. “I can finish the list another time. I never meant it to be something I would do all with one person. I never conceived of it that way—never expected that. You’ve given me so much already. Don’t feel as if you have to do this.”
Gabriel was already shaking his head before she had finished speaking.
He knew what she was suggesting. She could kiss someone else. It didn’t need to be him. And he couldn’t bear it. The mere thought of it drove him mad. As he stood before her, it was all he could do not to take her in his arms and kiss her at once, without another word on the subject. The thought of someone else being the person to do that was unbearable.
“No,” he said, shocked by the hoarseness in his voice.
“No?” She looked up at him.
“No. We started this together,” he told her. “We’re going to finish it together.”
“Gabriel…”
But he’d heard more than enough, and there was nothing more to say.
He took a step forward and drew her into his arms. She let out a little gasp, but came to him willingly, and a moment later her body was pressed against his. Was it his imagination, or could he actually feel the pounding of her heart against his chest?
“You’re sure you want this?” he murmured.
She nodded, with absolutely no hesitation, her eyes shining. “Yes,” she breathed. “I’ve always wanted this, Gabriel?”
A question took root in the back of his mind, an insidious and dangerous question. Did she mean to say that she had always wanted to kiss someone?
Or does she mean to say she’s always wanted to kissme?
He couldn’t worry about the answer right now. The pull toward her was too strong. He leaned in.
Gently, so gently, he captured her lips with his.
They were soft. Yielding. She submitted to him at once, allowing him to set the pace and guide her through the kiss. His hand moved to cradle the back of her head, the other hand sliding down to her waist. She hummed happily.
He deepened the kiss, unable to help himself. Need swept through him. How he’d longed for this! And the way she melted into him—oh, he just wanted to hold her forever.
This is what I’ve wanted. This is what I’ve wanted the whole time. And oh, I shouldn’t be doing it, but at the same time, I should have done it long ago.
He traced the subtle curve of her spine and caressed her soft cheek with his thumb. He breathed in and relished the scent of her…
A clock struck.
Reality reasserted itself.
Reluctantly, Gabriel forced himself to let her go.
Still, there was a moment’s pause before she pulled away, a moment in which she remained tucked against his body as though she couldn’t bear the thought of being released. Almost, he wrapped his arms around her again. But he managed to restrain himself. She hadn’t indicated that that was something she wanted.
And if he did it, he didn’t know if he’d have the strength to let her go a second time.
She finally stepped away from him, her gaze locked on his.
